Venice Boat Tour with Grand Canal & Tower Climb

Key Details

Tour Highlights

Escape the crowds, visiting the top sights of Venice from the water, with a special stop at one of the city’s least-visited islands, where you’ll climb the bell tower for the best panoramic views.

Your luxury Venice boat tour will cruise the Grand Canal passing the most important palaces, buildings and bridges of the city. Then stop at quiet little San Giorgio Maggiore Island.

This is our most intimate group tour, with only 9 people per boat – so you’ll find it easy to hear your guide while they tell you fascinating stories behind the sights as you pass them.

EXTENDED TOUR DESCRIPTION

EXPLORE VENICE IN COMFORT FROM THE WATER, WITH AN EXPERT GUIDE.

One of Venice’s grandest traditions is boating down the Grand Canal. The city's main waterway serves as a passage for ambulances, cargo vessels and gondolas, while its shores are lined with the most beautiful palaces and bridges. You'll see them all and soak up the atmosphere of the Grand Canal on our luxury Venice Boat Tour. As you pass each one your guide will tell you the stories and anecdotes that make them so incredible, from the Cà d’Oro and Cà Pesaro palaces; to the Rialto Bridge; Rialto Fish Market; and the Accademia Gallery.

From the water, you’ll see the Doge’s Palace and the St. Mark's Basilica like never before. You’ll explore the city’s prettiest inner canals, Venice’s equivalent to “back streets,” taking in the city’s beautiful palaces and getting a sense of how Venetians really live.

ADMIRE THE BEST VIEW IN VENICE FROM THE BELL TOWER OF SAN GIORGIO MAGGIORE.

At this stage you’ll have seen the most famous sights of Venice so we’ll continue our off-the-beaten-path tour for something quite special. Few visitors take the time to visit the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore. That’s their loss and you’re about to find out why.

We’ll stop just across the water from St. Mark’s Square. Ever seen a postcard of the Doge’s Palace and Venice from across the water? This is where that shot was taken! Your guide will lead you inside the stunning basilica for a tour of its art and architecture, then you’ll have a choice to climb the bell tower (admission is included in the price of your tour and there is an elevator). We strongly advise that you do.

Stepping outside you’ll be hit full force by an incredible view over all of Venice. Trace the route of the Grand Canal, admire the dome of St. Mark’s Basilica and marvel at this incredible – and incredibly unique – city. With your guide on hand to point out what’s what, you’ll get to grips with the city beneath your feet.

SMALL GROUPS, LUXURY BOAT AND AN EXPERT GUIDE, FOR A TRULY VIP EXPERIENCE.

It’s the little details that really make this tour. While riding a gondola is a fantastic experience, the Grand Canal is too busy, its current too strong, to make any real progress. We’ve opted instead for a luxury speedboat so you can choose to sit inside and listen to your guide’s commentary or stand outside, snapping the best photos. With audio headsets for every guest, you won’t have a problem hearing your guide whether you’re standing outside or relaxed inside. And with small groups of only 9 people or fewer – the smallest of our Venice experiences – you’ll be able to ask all the questions you can think of.

Our Venice Boat Tour takes you away from the crowds to experience the best that the city has to offer – from the Rialto Bridge to the secret spots locals show to visiting friends. And with a local on hand to tell you the stories woven into the fabric of the city, your experience will be as authentic as they come. You’ll return to Venice relaxed, refreshed and with tons of new knowledge and appreciation for this fascinating island city.

Sites visited

Grand Canal by private boat

St. Mark’s Square

Doge's Palace

Bridge of Sighs

Cemetery of San Michele (outside)

Rialto Bridge

Rialto fish market

Accademia Bridge

Palaces including the Cà d’Oro and Cà Pesaro

Island and Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore

San Giorgio Maggiore Bell Tower (optional)

Madonna dell'Orto Church (outside)

Salute Church (outside)

Included

2-hour private motorboat ride

Headsets

Entrance tickets to the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore

Expert Walks of Italy tour guide

Small groups of 9 people or fewer

Reviews

5-stars from over 209 Customer Reviews

Jennifer was an excellent tour guide. We thoroughly enjoyed our anniversary of 40yrs with a fantastic Walks Of Italy tour of the Venice canals. No need to take a touristy gondola ride when you can have the experience of Walks of Italy small boat tour. Bravo

Amy

2018-07-18

Very good tour of Venice. She made an effort to squeeze in as much as time would allow. Know Venice pretty well and I could see by the way the boat was routed and the things she said and did that she was really looking to provide us with as comprehensive a tour as possible.

Scot

2018-07-16

This was a fabulous way to see the city and it’s hidden gems. Our guide Jennifer was entertaining and gave us a good background of the history of the city. Thanks for another great tour!

Important information

Please remember to wear clothing that covers at least the shoulders and the knees as St. George's Abbey is a religious site

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This tour was an excellent way to see Venice. It would’ve been great if the tour also took you across the main st marks area where the Cipriani hotel is. It would have been nice to see that side of Venice as well from a boat. Our guide Jennifer was excellent.

Maggie

2018-08-08

(No comment)

Art

2018-07-24

Jennifer was an excellent tour guide. We thoroughly enjoyed our anniversary of 40yrs with a fantastic Walks Of Italy tour of the Venice canals. No need to take a touristy gondola ride when you can have the experience of Walks of Italy small boat tour. Bravo

Amy

2018-07-18

(No comment)

Julia

2018-07-16

Very good tour of Venice. She made an effort to squeeze in as much as time would allow. Know Venice pretty well and I could see by the way the boat was routed and the things she said and did that she was really looking to provide us with as comprehensive a tour as possible.

Scot

2018-07-16

This was a fabulous way to see the city and it’s hidden gems. Our guide Jennifer was entertaining and gave us a good background of the history of the city. Thanks for another great tour!

Jennifer

2018-07-15

(No comment)

vondamae

2018-06-27

Stefania is an excellent guide. She is very knowledged and balances the amount of information with the time and interest quite well by adding nice hint of humour. I could spend a whole day with her easily whilst being instructed about Venice. The only drawback was the terrace of our water taxi had a smaller open terrace than the other one in the tour, therefore some people had to stay inside during the tour. It was a pleasant tour overall.

Fatih

2018-06-25

Fantastic guide. Thanks for a great tour

donald

2018-06-24

Barbara was such a pleasure to be around. She was entertaining and knowledgable would throughly recommend this tour. Thanks for making our trip to Venice so memorable.

Declan

2018-06-19

The guide and the service were both amazing, however, we didn't feel like this was the greatest of the Walk's tours we did while in Italy. The content, while presented well (and the guide was very engaging) was pretty sparse.

Courtneymi

2018-06-18

Jennifer was a great guide. Helpful and fun with our little group.

Lisa

2018-06-13

Very informative and enjoyable tour - particularly liked the access to quieter areas not usually visited by tourists

Lesley

2018-06-09

Perfect tour to kick off your Venice visit! Great energy and patience from Giuliano and very knowledgeable regarding our plans for the following days.

Georganne

2018-06-04

Another great tour! Thank you.

Nancy

2018-06-03

Great trip, no better way to see Venice!

Kevin

2018-05-30

Excellent guide!

Gary

2018-05-23

This was a great tour and I would recommend -- wish it had been longer! I would've liked to see more of Venice by boat than foot :)

Melony

2018-05-21

This was my favorite tour. The tour was great, but Barbara made it awesome. She was the best tour guide we had on all of our tours during our 2 week stay in Italy.

Belinda

2018-05-16

We were at sometime going on a gondola ride but after you very enjoyable canal ride we didn't bother

Graham

2018-05-14

We enjoyed the explanation and the canal tour very much. Even though it rain during the tour, the boat driver did his best on the roughest parts of the canal. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and made the tour very interesting. We saw places we would have not seen by ourselves. It was a great experience.

Alhay

2018-05-14

We enjoyed the Venice Boat Tour with Grand Canal & Tower Climb immensely. As a suggestion, I think it would be even greater if it was scheduled a bit later when everything is painted with the sunset colours. This way it would also be more pleasant when the weather is hot.

Maria

2018-04-25

What a wonderful way to be introduced to the beautiful city of Venice! Barbara was a wonderful informative tour guide and she had a lovely relaxed manner and engaged with all seven people on the tour. I

Hilary

2018-04-21

Excellent, excellent, excellent - the guide was both knowledgeable and enthusiastic; thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Will certainly recommend to others and hope to use your services again when we visit Italy next year.

Amanda

2018-04-21

Barbara was a fun and well-informed tour guide with a passion for the city of Venice and a great deal of knowledge regarding its history and geography and current conditions (in terms of global warming and also its current issues with tourism). Barbara made it easy to ask questions and she speaks very well in English. I would highly recommend her as a tour guide, and I would highly recommend this tour to any first-time visitors to La Serenissima.
Grazie and arrivederci!
Jim Villone Jr.

james

2018-04-19

(No comment)

Rachel

2017-12-06

our guide Cristiano was EXCELLENT.
magnificent tour.

ratnawati

2017-11-18

Guide did a good job. Unfortunately the rain took all the joy out of the trip

John

2017-11-08

(No comment)

Donald

2017-11-07

(No comment)

Jenna

2017-10-28

The boat tour started 15 minutes late because the police were blocking access to certain areas, but it still ended on schedule. So I was a little disappointed it only lasted 1 hour 45 minutes instead of the full 2 hours that I paid for.

Logan

2017-10-20

(No comment)

teresa

2017-10-20

(No comment)

joseph

2017-10-19

I had a great time! My tour guide was so knowledgeable and sociable, and he made the tour very enjoyable

Shannon

2017-10-19

(No comment)

David

2017-10-18

Francesca exudes an open pride in her beautiful Venice, as well she should. It was a delight to be with her on this tour.

Frederick

2017-10-16

Francesca exudes an open pride in her beautiful Venice, as well she should. It was a delight to be with her on this tour.

Frederick

2017-10-16

This was a wonderful experience with a great guide. So much better than a Silverseas experience.

DAVID

2017-10-07

(No comment)

Mario

2017-09-25

Very good experience. Local guide who was knowledgeable and fun, and who spoke perfect English. The boat trip was excellent, and the visit to the top of the church bell tower gave great views. I'd happily recommend this tour.

David

2017-09-25

We would highly recommend it to everyone wanting to see Venice. It was fantastic!!!!

Elizabeth

2017-09-21

This was an excellent tour. The headsets were a great idea.

Gary

2017-09-21

Barbara is fantastic. The tour was well paced, very informative, and Barbara was very charming. I would highly recommend this tour and Barbara to others. Thank you Barbara - you are awesome!

Anthony

2017-09-18

We had a great time. The tour was highly informative & enjoyable especially because our tour guide was a local. I highly recommend it.

JOHN

2017-09-18

Great Tour, Love Walks of Italy Tours and their guides

Lou

2017-09-17

Giuliano Was our guide who had a great knowledge and was enthusiastic great boat tour!